1 Prologue

PROLOGUE

My tears roll down my cheeks as I hear my parents scream to each other. Ever since I am eight years old, countless misunderstandings had been a tradition for them. They don't even care if we, their children, hear them. They always fight about money and trust for each other. Sometimes, I thought of being left by my parents. Why? Because it seems like they aren't here. The love and care that we crave were buried six feet underground. At first, they treat me like a princess when I was a child, so I treated myself like a princess. They always say that I am a precious diamond to them, but what happened?

"Elysia! Come here!" I heard my mother called me. I run as fast as I could to get down there. I wipe my tears because I don't want them to see that I am affected by them. Damn it, but I can't. "Why, Mom?" I asked. She points to my little sister crying. Can't she tame her? I'm doing my assignment upstairs and she called me because my sister, Chelsea, is crying? Is she really a mother? Does she really care for her children?

I don't dare to have an opposite opinion to her. To be honest, I am also scared of her. Without saying another word, I hugged my sister and carried to her bedroom. She stopped crying yet I know her pain she's experiencing. "Hush, Chel, your big sister's already here," I whispered. She suddenly smiled at me and giggled. I let her sleep on her crib and went back to my room.

My cellphone rings for the fifth time when I answered it. I really don't like being disturbed when I am reading books especially now I'm reading Paper Towns. Who the hell is calling me right now? As I look on my phone, his name flashed on the screen. My heart pumped so fast and I rolled back and forth on my bed. Damn, his effect is really addicting.

"Hello?" I said shyly.

[Hey, Ely. What are you doing right now?]

"M-me?" Damn! Why did I stutter?!

[Yeah, you. You're the only one I am talking to right now.]

"Yeah, right. I'm sorry."

[So, will you answer me already?]

"Oh. I'm reading a book right now. Paper Towns? You know that?"

[Really? Can I come over?]

"Are you Flash? You are on speed, Liam. I don't know. You know my situation here at home. Do you think they'll treat you well here?"

[Why are you always angry?]

"Grrr."

[Alright, I'll call you later, okay?]

"O-okay. Goodbye."

I dropped the call. Damn! I shouted silently. Diana stepped into my room and grinning at me like crazy. I know that look. "Shut it, Diana," I said. She just laughed and slammed on my bed and started asking about who called earlier. Oh, and before I forgot, Diana is my half-sister. Among my three sisters, she is the closest one to my heart. Yuck, cheesy.

"So, did he called?" she asked. "Who?" I innocently replied. She pushed me down and I started covering myself with a pillow. "Liam called, okay? Stop slapping me!" I shouted while laughing. She just sits on the edge of the bed and started talking about how she daydreamed of me and Liam together. We actually met two years ago, when I visited my grandparents at Isabela of the Philippines. He is the son of the mayor there. He's charming, charismatic, and my type of man. Shit, he really got my heartbeat!

"Hey! I am talking to you for like 20 minutes! And you are just daydreaming about him?! How dare you!" she shouted and started hurting me with a pillow. I laughed. My sisters are the best thing in the world. My parents, well... I don't want to talk about it. "What are you thinking? Or should I say, who?" she teased me. I just giggled and at the same time looking at my phone. He left a message.

Liam

: Hey gorgeous, see you, tomorrow at school.

"Ohmygod! You are gorgeous! Fine! I hate you! Does Liam have a s-sibling?" Diana asked. I laughed. Liam doesn't have any siblings. I shooked my head and she pouted. Crazy Diana, she thinks that she can snake Liam away from me. That won't happen. Oh, here I go again, daydreaming. I am always like this. I daydream, I hope, then in the end, I get heartbroken. The history always repeats itself and I hate myself for that.

"Diana! Amanda! Elysia! Come down here!" my Dad called us. He is always shouting. I don't know why he's always angry since that night. Can I have amnesia for just one month? I can't help thinking that any day of my life, my parents would separate from each other. I don't want to grow with a broken family, but what can I do if it was told by destiny?

"Yes, Dad?" Amanda asked. We sat around the dining table and Mom took out a small notebook. I am nervous right now. I don't know why, but my heart is beating fast and I couldn't control it. "Girls, today, rules in this house should be obeyed. Punishments will be made if anyone of you neglected the rules." Dad said with a terrifying voice. What is this? Why should rules be made? We are in the legal age (except for me, I'm only 17), but who the hell cares for the rules?!

As they talk about the rules, my sisters and I were staring at each other. We don't want this kind of treatment. I rolled my eyes at the notebook where Mom is writing on. My sisters silently laughed from my action. Good thing that Chelsea is only 4 years old, she won't need to obey this. Damn rules and regulations! I want to get out of this house!

After thirty minutes, my parents left the notebook and went upstairs, I went first to see the notebook and I was shocked when I saw the rules.

Rule #1: Curfew is always 8 PM. No onwards. Should be strictly followed.

Rule #2: No wearing short shorts outside! Have a jacket if you wear shorts.

Rule #3: Respect your parents even in hard times.

Rule #4: You should always be together in coming home.

Rule #5: Night parties should only be once in a month.

Rule #6: Never hide a secret.

Rule #7: Never fall in love with someone whom you just met. And someone who is not the same level as you are.

Rule #8: Never fall in love with a bad boy or a gangster.

SIGNED BY MR. AND MRS. EVANS

"What the hell?! Night parties?!" Amanda screamed in frustration. I'm disappointed. Really am. My parents are strict when it comes to rules. What if we have a school project and we have to do it overnight in my classmate's house? It's not fair!

Damn it. Right now, I'm looking forward to the day where I can find the strength to defy those rules! Mark my word.